Turning Infantrymen Into Cloud Architects: Ethan Watts on VSO’s SkillBridge Mission

Ethan Watts joined the Navy a couple of years out of high school, inspired by his grandfather’s World War II service. Eight years of active duty took him from Westpacs and forward deployments in the Gulf to the Office of Naval Intelligence in D.C., where he built his IT career in the heart of the Defense Industrial Base.

In this episode of The Eleventh: The Mission Continues, Virtual Service Operations sits down with Ethan Watts, VP of Managed Services and Strategic Accounts, to discuss his transition from military IT work to building veteran careers in the private sector. His transition was straightforward because he left the Navy as a seasoned engineer and architect-level IT resource. But beyond technical skills, Ethan credits the Navy with teaching him honor, courage, and commitment—principles that guide how he does business today.

Ethan discusses the SkillBridge program, which allows transitioning service members to gain civilian IT experience while still on active duty. He takes particular pride in what he calls “turning infantrymen into cloud architects.” VSO brings in veterans with IT training who spent years perfecting their skills in the military and uses that experience as a platform for civilian careers. For those without IT backgrounds but with the right aptitude, VSO provides intense training and certification programs that build the skills they need to succeed.

Ethan sees it as a win across the board. Veterans build careers. VSO gains disciplined, highly adaptable team members. And customers benefit from mission-focused IT support delivered by people who understand operational accountability.

His message is clear: if you’re a veteran transitioning out and wondering what comes next, programs like SkillBridge provide a real pathway into IT careers. And if you’re highly adaptable and disciplined, you can learn the rest.

Watch the full conversation here